Synopsis

Young, bright and beautiful, Emma Woodhouse has the world at her feet, or at least the small part of Surrey in which she lives. The only trouble is that English village life being what it is, she’s denied any outlet for her creative ideas. So she determines to employ her considerable social skills and imagination to become a matchmaker and unite her new friend Harriet Smith with dashing Mr Elton. But to Emma’s great surprise, the more she tries to manipulate the destinies of others, the less success she has, until she herself, determined never to wed, is forced to face her own feelings and perhaps even dare to love another.

While Emma’s world is one of secrecy, missed cues and failed attempts to influence others, handsome and mischievous Frank Churchill is hiding his own secret, determined to use Emma to further his own romantic scheme.

Will Mr Churchill have his way with Emma or will she foil his plan and realise that, for her, true love lies in a different direction?

Keeping faithfully to the original, Tim Luscombe, who’s had great success with his other Jane Austen adaptations (Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Parkand Persuasion) relates Austen’s story with verve and style, honouring its central themes and transporting its famous characters to the stage, including the dashing and restrained Mr Knightley, the comically hypochondriac Mr Woodhouse and the sublimely dull Miss Bates!

Character breakdown::
The action can be played by a cast as small as seven:

Emma Woodhouse

Mr Knightley

Frank Churchill

Miss Bates

Harriet Smith / Mrs Elton

Jane Fairfax / Gypsy

Mr Woodhouse / Mr Elton / Gypsy

Setting: Multi-locational, fluid

Published: Not yet published

Produced: Colin Blumenau directed the first production of this new adaptation, opening in Leatherhead on 26th May 2017. The production then played through the summer at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, Theatre Royal Bath, Oxford Playhouse, Festival Theatre Malvern and Cambridge Arts Theatre.